Candle shaping apparatus

ABSTRACT

An apparatus for trimming and reforming a burned or deformed end of a candle or the like into a uniform, generally symmetrical conical configuration, having a hollow generally cylindrical tube portion open at its lower end to admit the candle to be reformed and an upper generally conical cap portion mounted on the opposite end of the tube portion and containing a cutting blade having a cutting edge which extends inwardly toward the joint central axis of the tube and cap portion to engage the upper deformed end of the candle. There is an opening at the upper end of the conical cap portion which is at least partially surrounded by a hollow guide chimney to receive and maintain in position the candle wick. The candle is inserted, burned end first, into the hollow tube and moved upwardly toward the conical cap portion until the burned candle end comes in contact with the cutting blade. The candle is then rotated relative to the shaping apparatus so that the deformed portions of the candle are shaved by the blade into a symmetrical conical shape without damaging the wick.

United States Patent [1 1 Smith 1 Mar. 11, 1975 CANDLE SHAPING APPARATUS [76] Inventor: Joseph Leigh Smith, 630 Lenox,

Glen Ellyn, 111. 60137 22 Filed: Oct. 25, 1973 21 Appl. No.: 409,696

Primary Examiner-Carroll B. Dority, Jr. Attorney, Agent, or FirmStone, Wagner & Aubel [5 7] ABSTRACT An apparatus for trimming and reforming a burned or deformed end of a candle or the like into a uniform, generally symmetrical conical configuration, having a hollow generally cylindrical tube portion open at its lower end to admit the candle to be reformed and an upper generally conical cap portion mounted on the opposite end of the tube portion and containing a cutting blade having a cutting edge which extends inwardly toward the joint central axis of the tube and cap portion to engage the upper deformed end of the candle. There is an opening at the upper end of the conical cap portion which is at least partially surrounded by a hollow guide chimney to receive and maintain in position the candle wick. The candle is inserted, burned end first, into the hollow tube and moved upwardly toward the conical cap portion until the burned candle end comes in contact with the cutting blade. The candle is then rotated relative to the shaping apparatus so that the deformed portions of the candle are shaved by the blade into a symmetrical conical shape without damaging the wick.

3 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures CANDLE SHAPING APPARATUS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates in general to a means for shaping either end of a candle or an object made of similar material into a uniform, generally symmetrical shape.

The burning end of a candle, because of the nature of candle wax or the position of the wick, will become irregular and not only drip wax on the candle holder but also on the surrounding area. The burned or deformed end also presents an unsightly appearance after the wick is snuffed and the candle is unlit. Thus, it has been recognized that it would be desirable to be able to reform or reshape the top of the candle after it has become irregular from burning.

One previous attempt to provide an apparatus to so reshape a candle is illustrated in US. Pat. No. 2,775,882 to Doig, issued Jan. 1, 1957. Doig teaches a candle holder which alternately serves as a reshaper by providing a pair of cutting edges formed in a cutting grove having an aperture at its midpoint. The candle wick is inserted into the aperture and the candle rotated to reform the top thereof by cutting with the edges. The cutting edges may be arranged in downwardly diverging relationship to form the candle end in the taper. This device, however, has several disadvantages. First, the cutting edges in Doig are positioned in planes which are generally perpendicular to the candle wick. In other words, they cut across the entire diameter of the candle from the top down to form it into a taper. Thus, if the wick should happen to be out of line or not in alignment with the central axis of the candle, the interior portions of the cutting edges may shear the wick, even though it is inserted through the central aperture. Furthermore, unless a candle happens to be of exactly the same diameter as the diameter of the holder, the candle will wobble or move laterally during cutting because there is no lateral support. If this happens, not only can the wick be accidentally sheared since it may move out of the center aperture into the portion of the cutting groove containing the cutting edges, but also a uniform and symmetrical taper will not be made on the candle end. There is no means of supporting or guiding the wick or the candle or of automatically aligning and positioning the candle to assure a uniform and generally symmetrical taper while protecting the wick.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION permost end and a guide channel formed as an extension of the opening to receive the candle wick and assist in positioning the candle for forming within the candle shaping means. On one side of the upper conical portion is mounted a cutting blade which may be easily detachable by removal of a single screw or may be molded integrally with the top portion of the shell. This blade has a cutting edge positioned in a plane generally parallel to a line generating the conical surface of revolution. The cutting edge extends inwardly a slight distance toward the central axis of the forming shell so that it will engage and shear the burned, deformed portion of the candle.

In the reshaping of a burned candle end according to this invention, the deformed end is inserted into the bottom of the lower cylindrical portion or guide sleeve and moved upwardly until it comes adjacent the interior walls of the conical top or guide cap portion. The walls of the conical portion, which are preferably pitched at approximately a 30 angle to the vertical central axis of the forming shell, will direct the wick of the candle into the opening at the top of the conical portion and into the wick chimney which acts as a wick guide and support. The cutting edge of the blade is spaced parallel to one edge of the wick chimney to form an opening or slot through which the wick may be directed into this opening. When the candle is firmly held in this position, the upper end of the candle and the wick will not move laterally and, therefore, the wick will not be accidentally sheared by contact with the blade. In addition, the disposition of the blade and cutting edge in a generally downward and outward direction, rather than in a horizontal direction across the top of the candle, will act to cut the deformed portion from the outside in, rather than the inside out, thereby further protecting the wick and allowing uniform shaping of the candle to any desired inclination and length of taper.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a candle shaping apparatus for reforming the burned end of a candle.

It is another object of this invention to provide a candle shaping apparatus which reforms the burned end of a candle in a uniform and generally symmetrical shape about the candle wick.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a candle shaping apparatus which reforms the burned end of a candle without shearing the candle wick.

It is still one more object of the present invention to provide a candle shaping apparatus having guide means to automatically and accurately position the burned end of a candle relative to a cutting edge to uniformly and symmetrically reshape this end without cutting the candle wick.

These and other objects of the present invention will become apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the drawings illustrating a preferred embodiment wherein:

FIG. 1 is an elevational view of the candle shaping apparatus of this invention showing the interior wall construction of the forming shell in partial cut-away section;

FIG. 2 is an elevational view of the candle shaping apparatus shown in FIG. 1, showing a candle being formed according to this invention;

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the candle shaping apparatus shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a partial vertical cross-sectional view of the candle shaping apparatus shown in FIG. 1, taken generally along line 44 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the candle shaping apparatus shown in FIG. 1, being operated to reform a candle; and

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a candle which has been reformed through the use of the invention shown in FIG. 1.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Referring now to the drawings and in particular to FIGS. 1, 2 and 5, the candle shaping apparatus of the present invention is shown in general at 10. This apparatus 10 has a forming shell 12 which includes a lower cylindrical hollow sleeve portion 14 having a bottom opening 16 into which a candle may be inserted for reforming, and having its opposite end formed into a conical top portion 18. While the conical top portion 18 is preferably integrally formed with the lower cylindrical sleeve portion 14, it may be independently formed and mounted over the sleeve portion 14 by threads, bayonet-type slots or other suitable means.

The conical top portion 18 has an opening 20 located at its top end generally along the central axis 21 of the forming shell. This top opening 20 is at least partially surrounded by a wick guide chimney 22, shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, which extends a slight distance upwardly from opening 20 and along the central axis 21 of the cylindrical sleeve 14 and top portion 18 indicated by the dashed lines in FIG. 4. It is noted that both lower cylindrical portion 14 and the conical top portion 18 are axially aligned about the central axis 21.

The conical surface of revolution of top portion 18 is generated by revolving an imaginary line passing through a point on central axis 21, which line is preferably inclined at an angle of approximately from axis 21, through 360. While it is recognized that other configurations of the top portion may be obtained having greater or lesser degrees of taper by varying the angle of inclination of the imaginary line passing through the vertex on central axis '21 and rotated to form the surface of revolution, it has been found that right conical sections formed by the manner described above or those having surfaces of inclination of at least 45 to the vertical produce tapers of the most pleasing configuration and shape and serve to automatically align candles for trimming.

The conical top portion 18 is shown in FIGS. 3 and 5 as a solid surface. A solid surface need not be presented in order to fulfill the function of the present invention, however, since a series of supporting arms extending between the vertex of the conical portion and its base (i.e., where it intersects the sleeve 14) intersecting various points around the base would also serve to position and guide the end of a candle, as will be explained below.

The conical top portion 18 has a cutting means 26 mounted on it having a positioning frame 28, a blade 30 and a blade retaining screw 32. The blade positioning frame 28 is formed by a generally flat platform hav ing raised edges or flanges about two sides to align and square the blade 30. The small blade 30, which may be a razor blade or any suitable cutting edge, is then placed within this frame and mounted thereon by means of the retaining screw 32. The blade may also be molded integrally with the top portion to eliminate the screw and reduce costs. The disposition or pitch of the blade 30 relative to a candle is determined by the positioning frame 28 relative to the top conical portion 18 and is a significant improvement of this invention over the prior art. The blade 30 is positioned generally parallel to an imaginary line between the vertex of the cone and its base which forms the surface of revolution. This disposition of the blade is clearly shown in FIG. 4. The blade is also positioned so that its cutting edge 34 extends slightly inwardly beyond the interior side wall or surface 36 of both the cone 18 and cylindrical portion 14. This inward extension or projection may be of the order of 0.02 inch beyond a line tangent to the interior surface of the cone. The cutting edge 34, by reason of this slight inward projection, will engage the candle and cut the-melted wax material from it. The interior surface of the top or guide cap 18 is smooth and curvilinear or conical in shape, even in the area underlying the cutting blade 30. Thus, the only irregularity in this interior surface is purposely presented by the cutting edge 34. This allows the cylindrical sleeve 14 and the conical top 18 of formingshell 12 to act as a chuck or guide to hold a candle of any size in relatively stationary lateral position, yet allow it to be moved angularly relative to the cutting edge 34 of the blade 30 to remove deformed wax material outside of the taper defined by the blade position. The smooth, conical interior surface of the top portion 18, and the uniform dimensions of the entire interior of the forming shell 12, will force the candle to rotate in 'a uniform path and not wobble laterally, as in the prior art. Thus, a symmetrical and uniform cut or shape of taper will result.

The positioning of the blade in this invention requires that cutting of the deformed candle material begin at the outside and proceed inwardly rather than from the top and proceeding across the diameter of the candle. In this manner, as the taper is formed, the candle gradually moves upward into the conical portion 18 so that a consistently uniform shape, conforming to that of the interior surface of the conical portion 18, is.formed.

The cutting edge 34 of the cutting blade 30 is also purposely spaced a slight distance from the opposite facing edge of the conical top portion 18 to form a wick slot 42. This slot extends from the base of the conical portion to the wick guide chimney 22 and corresponds in dimension to the width of a guide groove 23, which is formed in the guide chimney. This wick slot 42 allows the wick 40 of a conventional candle 38, to be spaced from the cutting edge 34 of the blade 30 so that it is not accidentally sheared as the candle is moved upwardly and turned relative to the cutting edge to trim the melted wax. This allows the wick 40 to move freely upwardly along the slot and up into the guide chimney along the groove 23 as the candle is trimmed. In this way, the wick 40 is maintained out of the way of the cutting blade and also allows the deformed top of the candle to be moved into intimate contact with the interior surface of the forming shell 12, including top conical portion 18, to prevent movement of the candle during reshaping and assure a symmetrical finished taper.

In operation of the candle shaping apparatus of this invention, a candle 38 is inserted, burned end uppermost as shown in FIG. 2, into opening 16 of shell 12, until the burned end is brought immediately adjacent the interior walls of conical shaped portion 18. With the candle held tightly in position by the conical shaped walls and the candle wick 40 directed through the wick slot 42 and up onto the guide chimney 22 and thereby maintained in position out of the way of the cutting blade 30, the candle is turned counterclockwise as shown in FIG. 2, so that the edge 34 ot' the cutting blade 30 engages the outside margin of the candle 38.

As the candle is turned, the blade will shear from the outer perimeter of the candle a portion of wax material 44, as shown in FIG. 5. Because of the angle of inclination of the blade relative to the generally vertical, cylindrical shape of the candle, the blade will begin to form the candle into a taper until the candle is fully tapered to assume the shape of the conical top portion and reformed, as shown in FIG. 6.

It is understood that the candle shaping apparatus of this invention may be of any desired dimension to accommodate various types of candles, although the unique disposition of the blade and the shape of the forming shell allow reforming of candles of various dimensions by a single size apparatus. It is also recognized that the shaper may be used on the opposite, unburned end of a candle to shape it, as shown in FIG. 6, for insertion into a holder.

The materials from which the candle shaping apparatus is constructed should include a strong, lightweight material, such as wood or plastic, for the cylindrical sleeve and conical top portion, which may be easily molded to the desired configuration, and a blade made of steel or other suitable material which may be honed to a sharp cutting edge. Finally, it is recognized that while the invention has been described in relation to a preferred embodiment thereof, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the structural details are capable of wide variation without departing from the principles of the invention.

1 claim:

1. A candle shaping apparatus for reforming the end ofa burned candle or the like in a neat and pleasing and generally symmetrical shape without shearing the candle wick, including hollow guide sleeve means open at one end thereof to receive a candle for reforming, said guide sleeve means having a central axis extending along the length thereof, guide cap means positioned over the opposite end of said guide sleeve means, said guide cap means having a top opening formed in one end thereof aligned with said central axis of said guide sleeve means and a guide chimney surrounding a portion of said opening and extending a short distance along said central axis relative to said opening, said guide cap means having cutting means mounted thereon, said cutting means having a cutting edge for engaging said candle and being disposed relative to said central axis of said guide sleeve means such that said cutting edge will continuously engage an edge of said burned end of said deformed candle as said candle is moved upwardly within and angularly relative to said guide sleeve means to thereby cut away the deformed portions of said candle and reform the end thereof, said cutting edge of said cutting means being spaced a selected distance from a facing edge of a side surface of said guide cap means to form an elongated guide channel opening in said side surface of said guide cap means between the base and said top opening thereof said guide chimney being open on its side facing said guide channel and mating with said guide channel to allow the wick of said candle to be moved upwardly within said guide channel opening toward said top opening to assist in positioning the wick and thereby the candle within said guide sleeve means and said guide cap means relative to said cutting means such that the burned end of said candle may be moved into intimate contact with said cutting edge of said cutting blade to assure a generally symmetrical and uniform cutting of the burned end of said candle while preventing accidental shearing of the wick by said cutting edge.

2. The candle shaping apparatus of claim 1 wherein said cutting means is mounted on a cutting means platform formed in said guide cap means, said cutting means platform being disposed at a selected angle relative to said central axis of said guide sleeve means, said cutting means being positioned parallel and adjacent to a surface of said platform and having a cutting edge projecting slightly inwardly toward said centralaxis of said guide sleeve means to engage a burned edge of said candle when said candle is positioned within said guide sleeve means, the angle at which said cutting means platform is inclined and said cutting means is thereby positioned corresponding to the general cross-sectional configuration of said guide cap means.

3. The candle shaping apparatus of claim 2 wherein said cutting means includes a cutting edge integrally molded with said guide cap means. 

1. A candle shaping apparatus for reforming the end of a burned candle or the like in a neat and pleasing and generally symmetrical shape without shearing the candle wick, including hollow guide sleeve means open at one end thereof to receive a candle for reforming, said guide sleeve means having a central axis extending along the length thereof, guide cap means positioned over the opposite end of said guide sleeve means, said guide cap means having a top opening formed in one end thereof aligned with said central axis of said guide sleeve means and a guide chimney surrounding a portion of said opening and extending a short distance along said central axis relative to said opening, said guide cap means having cutting means mounted thereon, said cutting means having a cutting edge for engaging said candle and being disposed relative to said central axis of said guide sleeve means such that said cutting edge will continuously engage an edge of said burned end of said deformed candle as said candle is moved upwardly within and angularly relative to said guide sleeve means to thereby cut away the deformed portions of said candle and reform the end thereof, said cutting edge of said cutting means being spaced a selected distance from a facing edge of a side surface of said guide cap means to form an elongated guide channel opening in said side surface of said guide cap means between the base and said top opening thereof said guide chimney being open on its side facing said guide channel and mating with said guide channel to allow the wick of said candle to be moved upwardly within said guide channel opening toward said top opening to assist in positioning the wick and thereby the candle within said guide sleeve means and said guide cap means relative to said cutting means such that the burned end of said candle may be moved into intimate contact with said cutting edge of said cutting blade to assure a generally symmetrical and uniform cutting of the burned end of said candle while preventing accidental shearing of the wick by said cutting edge.
 1. A candle shaping apparatus for reforming the end of a burned candle or the like in a neat and pleasing and generally symmetrical shape without shearing the candle wick, including hollow guide sleeve means open at one end thereof to receive a candle for reforming, said guide sleeve means having a central axis extending along the length thereof, guide cap means positioned over the opposite end of said guide sleeve means, said guide cap means having a top opening formed in one end thereof aligned with said central axis of said guide sleeve means and a guide chimney surrounding a portion of said opening and extending a short distance along said central axis relative to said opening, said guide cap means having cutting means mounted thereon, said cutting means having a cutting edge for engaging said candle and being disposed relative to said central axis of said guide sleeve means such that said cutting edge will continuously engage an edge of said burned end of said deformed candle as said candle is moved upwardly within and angularly relative to said guide sleeve means to thereby cut away the deformed portions of said candle and reform the end thereof, said cutting edge of said cutting means being spaced a selected distance from a facing edge of a side surface of said guide cap means to form an elongated guide channel opening in said side surface of said guide cap means between the base and said top opening thereof said guide chimney being open on its side facing said guide channel and mating with said guide channel to allow the wick of said candle to be moved upwardly within said guide channel opening toward said top opening to assist in positioning the wick and thereby the candle within said guide sleeve means and said guide cap means relative to said cutting means such that the burned end of said candle may be moved into intimate contact with said cutting edge of said cutting blade to assure a generally symmetrical and uniform cutting of the burned end of said candle while preventing accidental shearing of the wick by said cutting edge.
 2. The candle shaping apparatus of claim 1 wherein said cutting means is mounted on a cutting means platform formed in said guide cap means, said cutting means platform being disposed at a selected angle relative to said central axis of said guide sleeve means, said cutting means being positioned parallel and adjacent to a surface of said platform and having a cutting edge projecting slightly inwardly toward said central axis of said guide sleeve means to engage a burned edge of said candle when said candle is positioned within said guide sleeve means, the angle at which said cutting means platform is inclined and said cutting means is thereby positioned corresponding to the general cross-sectional configuration of said guide cap means.
 2. The candle shaping apparatus of claim 1 wherein said cutting means is mounted on a cutting means platform formed in said guide cap means, said cutting means platform being disposed at a selected angle relative to said central axis of said guide sleeve means, said cutting means being positioned parallel and adjacent to a surface of said platform and having a cutting edge projecting slightly inwardly toward said central axis of said guide sleeve means to engage a burned edge of said candle when said candle is positioned within said guide sleeve means, the angle at which said cutting means platform is inclined and said cutting means is thereby positioned corresponding to the general cross-sectional configuration of said guide cap means. 